DEFENCE TO 2-SUITED OVERCALLS (Michaels, Ghestem, Wemble, etc.)

When the opposition have shown a 5-5 distributional hand over partner’s opening bid, they have given you a better opportunity to define your hand. I would suggest the following approach:

1. One Suit Pinpointed

-          double – values 9+ looking for penalty

-          immediate support for partner – weak 5–8 points

-          bid of pinpointed suit – 9+ and support for partner’s suit

-          bid of either unspecified suit – 5-8 non-forcing – 5 card suit

-          2NT and 3NT – as without interference (if available)

2. Two Suits Pinpointed

-          double – values 9+ looking for penalty of one of opponent’s suits

-          immediate support for partner – weak 5-8 points

-          bid of lower specified ranking suit – 4 cards in undeclared major – 9+ points

-          bid of higher specified ranking suit – trump support 9 – 11 points.

-          bid of unbid suit – non-forcing – 5 card suit

-          2NT and 3NT - as without interference (if available)

-          jump bid in either specified suit - stop ask bid

AFH